The city of Kinshasa experienced, on Saturday May 20, a series of political activities organized by several parties. The authorities deployed several hundred police officers to secure these activities, in particular the march of the opposition parties (ECiDé, Ensemble pour la République, Envol and LGD), that of the majority in power (the youth of the UDPS) and the meeting of the ACP at the municipal stadium of Masina.
According to information relayed by the media, the march of the UDPS took place smoothly, unlike that of the four opposition parties, which refused to follow the route given by the urban authority. “Instead of starting from Sakombi Square in the commune of Ngaliema to YMCA Square via Kasa-Vubu Avenue, the leaders of these parties tried to start the march from the commune of Lemba, thus disrupting public order. and exposing their activists to the danger of confrontation with a rival party,” the police statement said.
Opposition leaders are accused of wanting to create incidents and cause deaths, which required the organizers to be escorted by force to the GB district via Bypass, UPN and Kintambo. The confrontations with the police led to several acts of vandalism, including the attack on a journalist and the stoneing of two police vehicles. The clashes left a total of 27 police officers injured, including 1 seriously, as well as six individuals equipped with machetes who were arrested.
The Congolese National Police has also confirmed the arrest of three police officers responsible for beating protesters and a minor, who will be brought before military justice. This fragile political and security situation in Kinshasa requires increased vigilance on the part of the authorities as well as political actors to avoid any escalation of violence.